Veronica beccabunga (European Brooklime)

Veronica beccabunga (European Brooklime) is a marginal, aquatic, evergreen perennial forming a brightly colored mat of short, erect spikes of small, bright blue flowers with a white eye in late spring to late summer. The foliage of rounded, slightly toothed, fleshy leaves displays great crimson color in the fall. This emergent perennial herb produces horizontal or ascending, succulent, hollow stems that creep along the ground and root at the nodes. Veronica beccabunga is grown as an ornamental plant for butterfly and water gardens. The leaves were once cultivated as an edible, bitter green.

• Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and spreads indefinitely by creeping stems. If the foliage mat becomes too vigorous, it may be pruned to desirable proportions.
• Performs best in full sun, in permanently wet soil or in water up to 4 in. deep (10 cm).
• Perfect choice for bog gardens, water gardens, ponds and wildlife gardens.
• Easy to grow, this plant requires little care and is fairly pest and disease-free.
• No pruning needed, except to keep within bounds.
• Propagate by division or by stem-tip cuttings.
• Native to Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia.
• Find where Veronica beccabunga is invasive in the U.S.